How to Wear Jean Shorts

Co-authored by Elle Monus and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: March 9, 2022 References

Jean shorts are a staple in many people’s closets since they go so well with so much. It can be hard to decide what to pair them with since they work so well with a lot of outfits. If you have a pair of jean shorts that you’ve been dying to wear, try adding a white shirt for a classic outfit, accessorizing with pops of red to stand out, or wearing high-top sneakers to accentuate your legs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Choosing Style and Length

1
Choose high-waisted shorts for a modern outfit. High-waisted shorts are all the rage. Choose jean shorts that sit just above your hips near your belly button for a flattering, stomach flattening pair of shorts. Pick out shorts that hug your waist but aren’t too tight around your back or legs.^{[1]
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Tip: Measure your waist by wrapping a tape measure around your midsection just below your ribs. This will help you as you look at sizes.
2
Wear distressed jean shorts for a casual look. Frayed edges and small holes are a great way to keep jean shorts casual.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Elle Monus
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.} If you’ll be wearing your jean shorts to a party or a friendly get-together, keep your outfit laid-back with distressed, light wash denim shorts.^{[3]
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- You can make your own distressed jean shorts out of jeans by cutting off the legs and poking holes in your shorts with scissors.
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3
Cuff your jean shorts for a put-together outfit. A summer bbq with the boss or a gathering with the in-laws might require a slightly more formal summer outfit. Throw on your jean shorts and roll them up once or twice for a slick, straight cuff that elevates your outfit. Use dark wash jeans to pull this look together.^{[4]
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4
Make sure your knee-length shorts fit loosely around your knees. Knee-length denim shorts are a great way to create a casual and beachy look. If you are choosing shorts that are knee-length, find ones that hit right above your kneecaps and leave some wiggle room in the legs. If your jean shorts are skin-tight and don’t leave room for your legs to breathe, they are probably too small.^{[5]
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- Knee-length jean shorts are very casual, and cannot be worn to formal events.
5
Use embellished jean shorts to show off your style. Denim is a very versatile fabric, and it can be embellished with jewels, embroidery, or even patches. If you want to stand out, add some bling to your shorts with a design or patch that lets people know who you are. Add a patch or two to keep it simple, or look for jean shorts with a design on the back pockets to stand out.^{[6]
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- You can add patches to your jean shorts yourself if they are iron-on ones. Simply place your patches where you want them on your shorts and swipe a hot iron over them 2 to 3 times.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Picking a Color

1
Create a timeless look with white jean shorts. White jeans have been a classic for years. Use white jean shorts for a neutral, timeless outfit that can be worn almost anywhere. Use these to spice up a bright top, or keep it neutral with a black shirt.^{[7]
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- Create a red, white, and blue outfit to be patriotic with your white jean shorts.
2
Make your outfit more daring by wearing black denim shorts. If you’re tired of plain blue jeans, consider wearing some black denim shorts. Pair these with a button-down shirt and a large belt buckle to stand out. To be even more daring, distress your black denim shorts by fraying the cuffs.^{[8]
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Tip: If you want to wear all black, make sure your clothes are all the same shade.
3
Choose light-wash jean shorts to keep it casual. Light-wash denim is great for things like bbqs, family gatherings, and going to parties. Pair your light-wash denim with a dark top to contrast your outfit well. Add an anklet or some fun bracelets to really make your casual outfit pop.^{[9]
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- Wear white shoes to go with the theme of a light wash in your outfit.
4
Pick dark-wash jean shorts to make your outfit more formal. Although jean shorts will never be fancy enough to wear to a cocktail party, you can elevate them slightly by choosing dark-wash ones. Wear these to a work party or your grandma’s birthday party. Pair them with a light colored top and some dark shoes to make your outfit go together seamlessly.^{[10]
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5
Look for acid wash jean shorts for a throwback look. If you love the 80s, you may want to express that when you wear your jean shorts. Find some distressed acid-wash jean shorts and pair them with a bright neon top to continue the trend of bold designs that were popular back then. Add some large hoop earrings to complete this look.^{[11]
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- You can acid wash your own jeans by using bleach. Use a paint brush to drip bleach onto your shorts where you want the acid-wash design. Then, wash them in cool water.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Pairing Jean Shorts with Tops

1
Add a crisp white shirt for a classic look. Blue denim looks great against a white shirt. Use a crisp blouse to accentuate your jean shorts. Tuck in your shirt to accentuate your waist, or let it hang freely for a more relaxed outfit.^{[12]
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- Use a button-down white shirt to create a faux-preppy look.
2
Pair jean shorts with a lace top for a feminine outfit. Jean shorts can sometimes look a little harsh or masculine. Pair them with a soft lacy top to accentuate your femininity. Put a bralette under a sheer lace top on a hot day to stay cool while looking great.^{[13]
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- White lace looks classic, while colored lace can make your outfit stand out.
3
Put on a band T-shirt to show your style. If you have a ton of band T-shirts, pair one with your denim shorts. This look is casual while also showing off that you listen to a certain band. Graphic T-shirts also pair well with jean shorts.^{[14]
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- Black band T-shirts go well with light wash denim.
4
Be daring and wear a denim shirt with your denim shorts. Denim on denim is a look borrowed straight from the 90s. Choose a denim button-down shirt in the same shade as your shorts and wear them together for a seamless denim look. Emphasize your waist with a belt, or leave your outfit seamless by tucking in your shirt.^{[15]
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- Denim on denim works the best with light-washes. Dark wash or black denim can be too heavy and formal looking for a completely denim look.
5
Wear a cotton button-down shirt for a faux-formal look. Jean shorts can’t ever be formal, but you can dress them up slightly by wearing a loose cotton button-down shirt. Pair a light-wash with a pink or salmon colored button-down, or use a navy button-down to make a dark-wash pair of shorts pop. Find a button-down with a design to stand out.^{[16]
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- Since you are wearing your shirt with shorts, it doesn’t have to be completely wrinkle-free.
6
Stand out with a floral button-down over a tank top. If you want to create a laid-back island feel, use a floral or Hawaiin shirt that isn’t buttoned up and layer it over a plain tank top. Make sure the button-down hits right at your waist so it doesn’t overwhelm you. Pair this with some light-wash jeans.^{[17]
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7
Define your waist with a light bomber jacket. Bomber jackets hit right below your natural waistline. This draws attention to your hips and your waist without elongating your torso in any way. Choose a bomber jacket on a chilly summer night to look great while keeping warm.^{[18]
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- Be bold with an animal print bomber jacket, or keep it neutral with a solid color.
Tip: Avoid wearing long cardigans that go beyond the length of your shorts. This can make it look like you aren’t wearing any bottoms at all.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Adding Accessories and Shoes

1
Accessorize with a pop of red to stand out. Dark wash denim looks great when it is offset with a red color. Pair your jean shorts with red shoes, earrings, nail polish, or even a bandana for a classic, eye-catching look. Wear a white shirt to make your accessories stand out even more.^{[19]
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- Red sunglasses or a large hat will also accentuate your jean shorts while shading you from the sun.
2
Wear a large belt buckle to draw attention to your shorts. Find a belt that has a big metal belt buckle with a design that you like and wear that with your jean shorts. Tuck the front of your shirt in to make the buckle stand out. Large belt buckles look the best with black or light-wash denim.^{[20]
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- Support your favorite sports team with your belt buckle, or get patriotic with a bald eagle.
3
Use high-top sneakers to elongate your legs. Jean shorts show a lot of skin. To make yourself look taller, wear high-top sneakers with your jean shorts. Use white ones to offset dark wash jean shorts, or go dark to contrast with light wash jean shorts. Pair your shoes with ankle socks that won’t peak out of the top of them.^{[21]
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4
Enhance your summer look by adding strappy sandals. Most often, you wear jean shorts when it is hot out. To keep your feet from sweating, throw on some strappy sandals with your jean shorts.^{[22]
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Elle Monus
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.} Choose sandals that accentuate the rest of your outfit, or even ones that match the top you are wearing.^{[23]
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- Choose strappy sandals with jewels on them for more formal attire, or go with plain ones for a casual outfit.
Tip: Black sandals are classic and go with almost anything.
5
Create a sporty look with running shoes and jean shorts. If you’re going to be walking a lot in your jean shorts or you want to be comfortable, pair your shorts with some running shoes. Choose ones that go with the top or jacket you are wearing. Put on some ankle socks to complete this look.^{[24]
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- Running shoes and a bomber jacket go great together.
- Combine a plain T-shirt and running shoes with jean shorts for a laid-back outfit.
- Gray or black running shoes go with almost any color.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you wear jean shorts for a night out?

Elle Monus
Image Consultant
Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked.

Elle Monus

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

To style for a night out, add heels and a sheer blouse with a cute bralette under to finish the look.